Label printing, feeding, and cutting machine



Dec. 30, 1930. A. RosENTHAL LABEL PRINTING, FEEDING, AND CUTTING MACHINE Filed Jan. lO, 1929 4 Sheets-She??l l C/ RIM m L M u m 0/ f |l||-||| VDA T l N T. HHHIHHMMHHIHWJ I P A N W M #f n Y B rif! Dec. 30, 1930. A. RosENTHAL LABEL PRINTING, FEEDING, AND CUTTING MACHINE Filed Jan. 10, 1929 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 zA/Z ATToRNEY Dec. d3o, 1930. A. ROSENTHAL LABEL PRINTING, FEEDING, AND CUTTING MACHINE Filed lJan. 10, 1929 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 INVENTOR Y /ff/ 0f P05 enf/7d! B Wwf@ ATTORNEYS Dec. 30, 1930. A. RosENTHAL LABEL PRINTING, FEEDING, AND CUTTING MACHINE Filed Jan. lO, 1929 4'Sheets-Sheet 4 IN VEN TOR Passed Dsc. 30,1930

j UNi'rEo s'ra'rasy ARTHUR ROSENTHAL, OF GRAND RAPIDS,` MICHIGAN i LABEL '.PRINTING, FEEDING, AN D- CUTTING MACHINE Application filed January io, im. semi no.' sans.

The main objects of this invention are:

First, to` rovide a multi-ple label rinting, feeding an cutting machine of arge capacity.

Second, to provide an improved label feeding and cutting machine that lwill feed a plurality of flexible fabricl label strips in taut condition to be printed and then deliver them to the cutting means which automatically and simultaneously cuts a plurality of labels from each of the strips.

Third, t'o provide an improved structure adalpted and effective to operate a plurality of nives for severing a plurality of labels from a liirality of label strips.

Fourt to provide a delivery means and conveyor to effectively throw out and discarge the labels from a plural cutting mac ine.

Objects pertaining to details and economies of construction and o eration will definitely ilippear from the detailed description to fol- A machine which embodies the features of my invention is illustrated in the accompanying drawing, in which: j Fig. 1 is a front elevation of my improved label feeding and cuttin mechanism, an inverted die printing mac ine being shown in dotted lines.

Fig. 2 is a perspective view of the feed, cutter, throw out and discharge means, the main feed jaws being shown in the advanced position without the label strips therein, the projecting ends of the cut strips appearing in the main label strip holding or supporting jaws. This view is taken from a point above and to the right and in front of Fig. 1, the complete feed and cutter mechanism being shown.

Fig. 3 is an enlarged transverse detail sectional elevation on line 3-3 of Figs. 1, 4 and 7 with the label strip holder down in l holding position.

Fig. 4 is an enlarged detail vertical longitudinal sectional elevation on line 4-4 of Figs. 3 and 5, the label strip holding jaws being .shown in closed orgripping position and the label strips being fed forward and showing the cutting lgnife up and its relation and plate type.

'fiange slide way 71 at one side and the paret wheel 81 thereon and is driven b held in the feed jaws and holding jaws ready to be cut.

Fig. 5 is an enlarged detail sectional elevation view on line 5-5 f Figs. 1, 4 and 7 55 to the actuating cam and the related jaws and one of the series of endless delivery conve ors.A v

ig.v 6 is a detail sectional elevation of the c am actuating means for the label feed means, 50

'the drive shaft in section on a line correspending to line 6-6 of Fi 3.

Fig. 7 is a detail longitu inal section view on line 7-7 of Figs. 3 and 5 showing the operating mechanism for the feed 'aws.

Fig. 8 is an enlarged detail vertical longitudinal sectional elevation of the main feed jaws and the-holding'jaws shown in engagement witli the label stri the feed jaws having just picked u the ree ends of the label stiips ready for t ie feeding movement.

iig. 9 is an enlarged detail sectional elevation View of the end feed jaw and trip cam means for openin and closiii the same in open position at t e out end o the stroke.

Fig. 10 is an enlarged detail outer end elevation view of the auxiliary feed jaws, the jaw cam actuating rockshaft being in section.

The parts will be identified lby their numerals of reference which are the same in all the views.

l is a printing machine of the inverted die 2 is the inverted die actuated in theusual way. 3 is the counter. 4, 4 are a plurality of label strips. 5, 5 are a 85 plurality of label strip supply reels. 6 is the guide for the label strips to the printing press. 7 is the frame for the feed and cutter mechanism having the longitudinal allel supportingflange 72 at the opposite side. This frame is adjustably supported on base 73.

8 is the driven cam shaft having a sprockthe chain 82. 9 is the reciprocating fee carria e carrying the feed jaws.

L o that the details of this device may be the more readily understood, I will first describe it in a very general way. There are I provide the main main and auxilia and auxiliary fee aux1liary\holding\jaws 12 is in spaced relalo iliary feed jaws. 4These holding jaws are tion from the main ijaws 11 to hold a section at the ends of the label strips taut and 1n osition for thereturn 'movement of the auxactuated by cams to o en to permit the feedinv of the strips an to` close to grasp the label strips `during the return movement of the feed jaws.

A series' of shear cutters 13 are provided beyond the main holding jaws and under these cutters the strips of the label are fed preliminary Yto cutting the same by the plurality of shearing blades.

The feed jaws `are carried by the reciprdv eating feed carriage 9 which travels inthe ways 71 before referred to. 15 are the main feed jaws adapted to grasp the projecting ends of the label strips beyond the holding jaws 11 after they have been cut ofi' and then feed the same under the knives for the next cuttin operation. The jaws are shown in the a vanced position in Fig. 4 with the knives raised. The engaging position of the main feed jaws to the ends of the label strips appears in Fig. 8.

16 are the auxiliary feed jaws which reciprocate in the area between the main holdl ing jaws 11 and the` auxiliary fholding jaws 12. The feed jaws, in all instances, as well as the holding jaws, are opened and closed by suitable cams on the cam shaft. When the main jaws engage the end of the label strip as seen in Fig. 8, the auxiliaryfeed jaws 16 close intoengagement with the label strips just in advance of the auxiliary supporting jaws 12. rlfhe holding jaws then' open and the feed carriage advances carrying the feed jaws and the label strips to the next step for thenext cutting operation. When the feed reaches the end of its stroke,

:the holding jaws again close, the knives cut also provided for reciprocating the carriage feed so that the parts operate in definite timed relation to each other.

With this preliminary general descripytion I will describe the various parts, their actuation and relations.

The main holding jaws 11 are supported on a pair of longitudinal supporting rods 17, 18 which serve also to support the stationary blades of the cutting shears, these being supported on end brackets 19, 20, see Fig. 3. The lower jaw member 111 has alongitudinal groovel 112 into which depression the label strips are clamped. A. series ofguide On the frame 7- loops 113 are carried by this lower jaw member'lll so that4 each label strip is separately guided in definite relation `to the said holdmg aws. 114 is thel upper jaw member whic is pivoted to arm 115 by pivot 116. The upper jaw member 114 is provided with a series of ins 114 for separately'engaging each la' el strip. Guardy blade 114 1s disposed in front of the pins 114". This member is rovided 'with an upwardly projecting spring arm 117 to which is connected the tension compression spring 118, which nholds the said upper swinglng jaw 114 into contact with the lower jaw 111. An auxiliary guide loop 119 is secured'to the side of this jaw and it, along with the jaw blade itself, is embraced in the slots of a guide 119 secured to the frame 7. A cam actuated slide21 has a projecting cam arm 210 with a cam 'surf-ace 211 disposed, when reciprocated, to elevate the jaw, 1nember114.

The auxiliary holding jawscomprise the main stationary jaw member 121 which longitudinally grooved'to form a depression lever means 125 which will be described in detail in connection with the auxiliary feed jaws which are actuated in the same way.

These jaws are held yieldingly in closed position by spring 126. A double stop 211 is carried by the cam actuated slide 21 and alternately actuates and trips the lever means `125 to open and close the said holding jaws. The relations of these parts clearly appear in Fig. 4.

The cam slide 21 actuated by cam 22 carried on the cam shaft 8, see Fig. 4i. Cam follower 212 is secured to the slide 21 and the slide is held under tension by tension spring 218, see Fig. 4. rlhe slide 21 and its stops operate to open the main holding jaw and the auxiliary holding jaw at the same time and hold them open while the feed jaws are advancing the label strips and then tripping to close the same when the label strips have been fully advanced.

The feed jaws are secured to and carried by the reciprocating feed carriage 9. The main feed jaws 15 comprise a relatively fixed lower jaw member 151 having a slight depression towards its engaging end. Upper jaw member 152 is provided with spring fingers 153 which are downturned into engaging points, one for each label strip. The upper jaw is carried by pivoted arm`l54 pivoted at 155 in cheek piece 156 and the jawI is held yieldingly downward by the con'lpression spring 157. Cam 158, with flat end, having downwardly projecting actuating the trip lever 158 is pivoted at 158 to the cheek piece 156 and engages the projectsion spring 157 to close the jaws into `engagement with the ends of the cut off label str1 vs as detailed in Fiv 8.

T e auxiliary feed jaws 16 comprisethe comparatively fixed lower jaw 161 and the movable upper jaw 162 provided witha series of clamp spring fingers 163. The upper jaw is pivoted at 164 between the cheek v is timed to cause the said eed Y168 at each end of the travel.

pieces 165 and the jaws are opened by the cam 166 on the rockshaft 167 actuated by trip lever 168. j

he cam actuated slide 24 is provided with stops 243 and 244 to act upon the trip lever It is shown in the tripped position at the right of Fig. 7 with the labe strips clamped. When the feed 'carriage moves to the left of that ligure the cam lever 168 will contact with the stop 243 and open the jaws. The jaws will remain open until the feed carriage returns and the lever is "again tripped to close the same. f

The stop 243 nis cut away as shown in Fig. 7 to permit the passage of the trip lever 158 so that -it willnonly be acted on by its appropriate stop. It will thus be seen that the lever 158 and the lever 168 are tripped by stops on the cam actuated slide 24 and are operated simultaneously to resp and feed the label stops. The slide 24 1s actuated by cam 10 which reacts upon the cam follower arm 245 as seen in Fi 7 The cam 10 jaws to open and close as described. u

It will be seen that when the feed jaws have carried the label strips forwardasindicated at the right of Fig4, the jaws are then opened at the time of severing the labels and the labels are then discharged. The feed carriage is thon returned to the initial position and the jaws are closed to engave the ends of each of the label; strips as tailed in Fig. 8.

rlhe feed carriage 9 reciprocates in the ways 71 and is operated by a cam mechanism (see Figs. 2 and 6) which is precisely comparable to the mechanism shown for reciprocating the feed jaws in the companion application of George L. Bignell. I make no claim to the details of the mechanism but have used it in my combination. Itcomprises an actuating lever 91 fulcrumed on the frame and connected by link 92 to lu 93 l on the feed carriage 9. Cam 94 on cam s aft 8 actuates rocking cam follower 95 which actuates the rocker 96 whichis connected yby L adjustable pitman 97 to the said lever 91.' The movement of the carriage can be adjusted to a nicc'ty and be accurately controlled by the said cam so that it is timed for operation with the holding and feed jaws 1 heretofore deseribed.` It is possible by the dwell of the cams td secure the timed operations as indicated, as 'will be clear from an inspection of the same..

13, 13,- 13 are a plurality of cut off shears. Each comprises a lower; blade member 131 and an upper pivoted blade member 132 whichsis lpivoted on the pivot 133 and held yieldingly in` cutting engagement by the compression spring 134. Each movable blat e is provided with an actuating lever 135 having a cam follower wheel 136 and is held 1nto engagement with the cam 271 hereafter described by the cam spring 137.

The .upper blade 132 is ribbed at 132 to wipe the severed label ends upward against the guard 114 to insure their projectlon to bc engaged by the main. feed 'aws. A longitudinal cam shaft 27 provide with cams 271 and driven by bevel gear 272 actuates the said upper shear members. These shears act upon the label stri which is held taut between the main fee jaws and the main holding jaws as seen in Fi 4. The labels between the shears readilzyy drop down. The labels at the end tend to remain in the feed jaws after the jaws have been opened. I therefore provide a stripper finger 28 car# ried on the rockshaft 281 actuated by lever 282 by cam 273 on shaft 27, see Fig. 2. Beyond eachof theshears is disposed amendless conveyor 29 deliverin the cut ofi labels, as they are severed, rapidly to one side into any suitable receptacle. 7

I have thus described my improved machine in detail. It will be observed that a plurality of label strips are delivered to the printing press and a group of labels rinted on each strip. The label strips are t ien advanced into the machine and placed in the main holding jaws with their ends project,- ing. The machine is then operated, the main feeding jaws grasp the ends of the 'labels and advance them one step, thereby advancingthe entire label strip a step. The cut off knives The feed carriage then reciprocates, and

the main jaws are brought to position to enj gage ytheV cut off ends ofthe strips. The auxiliary jaws are also passed to the corresponding position on the label strip that is now held taut by the holding aws. The. feed 'aws/ are 'then tripped by the cam) means.

When the feeding jaws have thus engaged the label strips, the holdin 4jaws lare opened, the label strips are again a vanced to the cutllt) ting position, and the cycle of operation is com leted. y n

I iiave shown a cam means in each instance especially adapted to the purpose bht it is clear that a variety of mcansmay be employed by suitable timed connections.

The use of a machine of this kind is of very great advantage. A single'operation of the press in the particular arrangement here shown prints three labels on each of seven label strips, i. e., 2l labels in all. The strip is then advanced to the cuttingposition and the entire 21 labels. are cut at a single stroke. Every strokel of the machine thereafter results in the production of 2l complete labels. The rapidity of action over any hand method is apparent.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is:

1. In a label printing, feeding, and cutting machine, the combination of a printing press, a plurality of label strip feed reels, a guide for the label strips to the press, a feed and cutting means comprising a frame with a main holding jaw, an auxiliary holding jaw in spaced relation therefrom to embrace and hold said plurality of label strips under tension, a cam trip means for opening and closing the holding jaws comprising a slide with actuating stops, a cam for actuating said slide to open and close the holding jaws independent of the motions of the feed mechanism, a reciprocating feed carriage, a main feed jaw for engaging the ends of label stripsidisposed on said carriage and adapted to engage the ends of the label strips, an auxiliary feed aw disposed in spaced relation to said main eed jaws and adapted to reciprolcate and act between the said holding jaws,

cam actuating means for simultaneously actuating the said jaws and trippingthe same to close comprising a slide with stops for actuating and tripping the said jaws, a cam for actuatinvsaid slide timed to closesaidjaws during the feeding operation and open the same on return movement, a plurality of parallel cut off shears one of which is disposed in proximity to the main holding jaws and rovided with a wiping rib to wipe the ends of the strips upwardly into projecting position, cam means for actuating said shears timed to act simultaneously and shear the tensioned stri s between the main holding.

and main fee jaws, a tripper finger to discharge severed labels from the main feed jaws, a cam to actuate the same, endless belt guide for the label strips to the press, a feed and cutting means comprising a frame with a main holding jaw, an auxiliary holding jaw in spaced relation therefrom to embrace and hold said plurality of label strips under tension, a cam trip means for opening and closing the holding jaws comprising a slide with actuating stops, a cam for actuating said slide to open and close the holding jaws independent of the motions of the feed mechanism, a reciprocating feed carriage, a main feed jaw for engaging the ends of label strips disposed on said carriage and adapted to engage the ends of the label strips, an auxiliary feed yjaw dis osed in spaced relation to said main feed jaws and adapted to reciprocate and act between the said holding jaws, cam actuating means for simultaneously actuating the said jaws and tripping the same to close comprising a slide with stops for actuating and tripping the said jaws, a cam for 'actuating said slide timed to close said jaws during the feeding operation and open the same on return movement, a plurality of parallel cut olf shears one of which is disposed in roximity to the main holding jawsand provided with awipying rib to wipe the ends of the strips upwardly into projecting position, cam means for actuating said shears timed to act simultaneously and shear the tensioned strips between the main holdingand main feed jaws, means to discharge the severed labels, and cam means for reciprocating the feed carriage with the feed jaws timed to cooperate with said holding jaws, as specified.

3. In a label printing, feedingand cutting machine, the combination of a printing press, a plurality of label strip feed reels, a guide for the label strips to the press, a feed and cutting means comprising a frame with a main holding jaw, an auxiliary holding jaw in spaced relation therefrom to embrace and hold Ysaid plurality oflabel strips under tension, a cam trip means for opening and closing the holding jaws comprising a slide with actuating stops, a cam for actuating j said slide to open and close the holding jaws independent of the motions of the feed mechanism, alreciprocating feed carriage, a main feed jaw forl engaging the ends of label strips disposed on said carriage and adapted to engage the ends of the llabel strips, an auxiliary feed jaw disposed in spaced relation'to said main feed jaws and adapted to reciprocate and act between the said holding jaws, cam actuating means for simultaneously actuating the said jaws and tripping the same to close comprising a slide with stops for actuating and tripping the said jaws, a cam for actuating said slide timed to close said jaws during the feeding operation and open the same on return movement, a plurality of parallel eut off shears one of which is disposed in proximity to 1':

the main holding jaws, cam means for actuating said shears timed to act simultaneously and shear the tensioned strips between the main holding and mainfeed jaws,

means to discharge the severed labels, and cam means for reci rocating the feed car-- main olding jaw, a cam trip means for opening and closing the holding jaw comprising a slide with actuating sto s, a cam for actuating said slide to o n an close the holding jaw independent'o the motions of the feed mechanism# reciprocating feed 'carriage, a main feed jaw for engaging the ends of label strips disposed on said carriage and adapted to engage the ends of `the label strips, an auxiliary feed jaw disposed in spaced relation to said main feed aws and ada ted to reciprocate and act bac of said hol ing jaw, cam actuating means for simultaneously actuating the said jaws and tripping the same to close comprising a slide with stops for actuating and tripping the said jaws, a cam for actuating said slide timed to close said jaws during the feeding operation and open the same on return movement, a plurality of parallel cut oil' shears one of which is disposed in proximity tothe main holding jaws, cam means for actuating said shears timed to act simultaneously and shear the tensioned strips between the main holding and main feed jaws, means to discharge the severed labels, and cam means for reciprocating the feed carriage with the lfcedjaws timed to cooperate with said holding jaws, as specified.

5. In a label printing, feeding and cutting machine, the combination of a printing press, a plurality of label strip reels, a guide for the label strips to the press, a feed and cutting means comprising a frame with a main holding' jaw, an auxiliary holding jaw in spaced relation therefrom to embrace and hold said plurality of label strips under tension, a cam trip means for opening and closing the holding jaws comprising a slide with actuating stops, acam foi-'actuating said slide to open and close the holding jaws independent of the motions of the feed mechanism, a reciproeating feed carriage, a main feed jaw for engaging the ends of label strips disposed on said carriage and adapted to engage the ends of the label strips, cam actuating means for actuating the said jaws and tripping the same timed to close said jaws during the feeding operation and open the same on return movement, a plurality of parallel cut off shears one of which is disposed in proximity to the main holding jaws, cam means for actuating said shears timed to act simultaneously and shear the tensioned stri s between the main holding and main f jaws means to discharge the severed labels, an cam vmeans for reciprocating the feed carriage with the feed jaws timed to cooperate with said holdingjaws, as specified.

6. In a label printing, feeding and cutting machine, the combination of a printing press,

a pluralitieof label stri feed reels, a de for the la 1 strips to t e press, a fee and cutting means comprising a frame with a main holding jaw, a cam trip means for opening and closing the holding jaw comprising a slide with actuating stops, a` cam for actuating said slide to open and close the holdin jaw independent of the motions 4of the fee mechanism, a reciprocating feed carriage a main feed jaw for engaging the ends of label strips disposed on said carriage.

and adapted to engage theends `of the label strips, cam actuating means for actuating the said jaws and' trippin the same timed to close said jaws during t e feeding operation and open the same on return movement, a

plurality ofy parallel cut off shears one of; which is disposed in proximity to the hold-` ing jaw,- cam means. for actuating said shears timed to act simultaneously and shear the tensioned strips between the holding and feed jaws', means todischarge the severed labels, and cam means for reciprocatingthe feed carriage with the feed jaws timed to poperate with said holding jaws, as specimachine, the combination of a printing press,

a plurality of label stri feed reels, a guide for the label strips to t e press, a feed and cutting means comprising a frame with a main holding jaw, an auxiliary holding jaw in spaced relation therefrom to embrace and hold said plurality of label strips under tension, a cam trip means for opening and closing the holding jaws comprising a slide with actuating stops, a cam for actuating said slide to open and close the holding jaws independent of the motions ofthe feed mechanism, a^

reciprocating feed carriage, a main feed jaw for engaging the ends of label strips disposed on said carriage and adapted to engage the ends of the label strips, an auxiliary feed jaw disposed in spaced relation to said main feed jaws and adapted to reciprocate and act be'- tween the said holding jaws, cam actuatin means for simultaneously actuating the sai jaws and tripping the same to close comprising a slide with stops for actuating and tripping the said jaws,'a.cam for actuating said 7. ni a iabei printing, feedingana cutting.

-iiisA isc j between the main holdinghgand main feed 'aws, a tripper finger to harge severed abels fromvthe main feed jaws, a cam to actuate the same, endless belt delivery means adjacent each shear to receive the cut off labels and discharge the same, and cam means for reciprocating the feed carriage with the feed jaws timed to cooperate with said holding jaws, as specified.

8. In a label printing, feeding and cutting machine, the combination of a printing press,

a label strip feed reel, a feed and cutting means comprising a frame with a main holdin jaw, an auxiliary holding jaw in spaced retion therefrom to embrace and hold said label strip under tension, a cam trip means for opening and closing the holding jaw coml prising a slide with actuating sto s, a cam for actuating said slide to open an close the holding jaw independent of the motions of the feed mechanism, a reciprocating feed carriage, a main feed jaw for engaging the ends of the label strip disposed on said carriage and adapted to enga e the end ofthe label strip, an auxiliary fee jaw disposed in spaced relation to said 'main feed jaws and adapted to reciprocate and act between the said holding jaws, cam actuating means for simultaneously actuating the said jaws and tripping the same to close comprising a slide with stops for actuating and tripping the said jaws, a

vcam for actuating said slide timed to close said jaws during the feeding operation and open the same on return movement, a plurality of parallel cut oi shears one of which is disposed in proximity to the main holding jaws, cam means for actuating said shears timed to act simultaneously and shear the tensioned strips between the main holding and main feed jaws, and cam means for reciprocating the feed carriage with the feed jaws timed to cooperate with said holding jaws, as specified.

In witness whereof l have hereunto set my hand.

ARTHUR RSENTHAL, 

